Our series of profiles on the New Jersey Devils\u2019 pending free agents continues today with a look at Simon Nemec. The young defenseman was once viewed as a key part of the Devils\u2019 future, but stalled development and a change in leadership at the top might change that as he reaches restricted free agency. Let\u2019s take a look at Nemec\u2019s case.<\/p>\n
Simon Nemec was born on February 15, 2004, meaning he turned 22 late in the 2025-26 season. He was taken with the second overall pick in the 2022 NHL draft by the Devils, behind only his fellow countryman Juraj Slafkovsky.<\/p>\n
Nemec was viewed as a top prospect in that 2022 draft, though perhaps not quite as high as second overall. Still, the pick was not viewed as a massive reach at the time, even if many wanted the Devils to go in a different direction. Those who wanted New Jersey to draft someone like Logan Cooley or Shane Wright probably feel a little vindicated today (especially those who wanted Cooley). But to be fair, Nemec has had his moments in the NHL, and there is still time for him to develop into a strong player.<\/p>\n
What Has Nemec Done As A Devil?<\/p>\n
It has been quite the ride for Nemec in his three seasons in New Jersey. First, here are his counting stats:<\/p>\n
SeasonGames PlayedGoalsAssistsPoints2023-2460316192024-25272242025-2668111526<\/p>\n
His second season left a lot to be desired. But his first and third seasons in The Show, at least from a production standpoint, were pretty darn good for a 19- and 21-year-old defenseman. Even that 2024-25 campaign could be explained away with a slew of reasonable excuses: A preseason injury that lingered throughout the year, a new coach and new system to learn, and the fact that he was still only 20-years-old for most of the season. And Nemec even redeemed himself with the highlight of New Jersey\u2019s brief stay in the 2025 playoffs<\/a>:<\/p>\n However, despite the solid production, there\u2019s a reason Nemec has an uncertain future in New Jersey. After a rookie season that saw Nemec control play solidly enough for a teenager, his underlying metrics have really taken a hit. All numbers come from Natural Stat Trick<\/a> and reflect 5-on-5 play:<\/p>\n SeasonCorsi For%Scoring Chances For%High Danger Corsi For%Expected Goals%2023-2449.7949.9050.6352.282024-2544.1043.5140.3437.672025-2649.6048.7545.7748.02<\/p>\n Those numbers from this past season are bad but not awful on the surface, but what makes them more concerning is the fact that Nemec got some pretty cushy deployment all year long. He was rarely ever tasked with matching up against top competition. However, despite losing soft minutes, he paradoxically has shown a knack for playing better the more ice time and responsibility he gets. This was most notably on display when he registered a hat trick in Chicago in November<\/a>. In that game he played 26:27, and he made every single one of those minutes count.<\/p>\n It\u2019s a weird and frustrating spot for the Devils to be in: Nemec doesn\u2019t play well enough against soft competition to deserve more responsibility, yet he seems to rise to the occasion whenever he finds himself pressed into those duties. So who is the real Nemec? The one who struggles against depth, or the one who flashes greatness in top pair minutes? This is why figuring out Nemec\u2019s future is so difficult.<\/p>\n If you ask me to describe Nemec\u2019s game since entering the league, I think the phrase \u201chigh-event\u201d would be an accurate one. Nemec\u2019s playstyle is very chaotic. He is hyper-aggressive with his pinches in the offensive zone, to go along with his general rover instincts. He is active in transition, both while trying to push the puck up the ice and in trying to end opponents\u2019 transition plays. And he\u2019s also an absolute fantasy novel in the defensive zone, where the rules of physics and logic seem not to apply. His positioning is impossible to predict, and I don\u2019t mean that in a good way. Nemec floats and attacks and wanders and takes charge all at once in his own zone, which I imagine makes him a very difficult teammate to share the ice with in those situations. Nemec is a player that generates a good amount of offense, but gives it all back and more on the defensive end.<\/p>\n This hectic playstyle has led to soaring highs, such as his performance in Game 3 against the Hurricanes just over a year ago, as well as his hat trick against the Blackhawks. And it has also led to tumbling lows. I\u2019ll say it again: this is why figuring out Nemec\u2019s future is so difficult.<\/p>\n What Will Nemec Do Going Forward?<\/p>\n Well based on everything I\u2019ve said so far, this question seems impossible to answer, doesn\u2019t it? Nemec lacks any sort of consistency in his game, both in playstyle and overall production. One game you might get the world-beater that former general manager Tom Fitzgerald saw in him when he selected Nemec second overall in 2022. The next game you might get the defensive liability that sinks games all on his own.<\/p>\n Another factor that needs to be considered is if head coach Sheldon Keefe will return. Former coach Lindy Ruff (who, at the time of this writing, is preparing his Buffalo Sabres for the second round of the playoffs) seemed to get the best out of Nemec. Ruff\u2019s system suited Nemec well, and Nemec rewarded him with an excellent rookie season. Keefe, on the other hand, seemed like trying to fit a square peg into a round hole from a style standpoint.<\/p>\n Now, two things to keep in mind about this: One, even if Keefe returns, new general manager Sunny Mehta might make enough changes to either the system the team runs or the players around Nemec to make enough of a difference regardless of whether Keefe is back. Second, Keefe actually did seem to adjust his system post-Olympics to emphasize more offense and tempo, which theoretically plays to Nemec\u2019s strengths.<\/p>\n So I can absolutely see a change in leadership having a positive impact on Nemec. I\u2019m at the point where I\u2019ll believe it when I see it with him, but he certainly wouldn\u2019t be the first young player to blossom thanks to a reboot of sorts.<\/p>\n What Is Nemec\u2019s Value? What Are His Comparables?<\/p>\n